‘As MeRA25 – United Left, we insist that anti-migrant practices, which go far beyond human rights violations, cannot be tolerated. We call on society, civil society organisations, and each and every one of us to stand up against the policies of Fortress Europe and the barbarity and obscurantism of Mitsotakis and Plevris,’ the united initiative said in a statement.
The announcement in detail:
The phrase ‘no surprise’ could unfortunately describe the revelations brought to light by a BBC investigation, which accuses the Greek police of recruiting migrants to attack other migrants in order to forcibly push them back to the Greek-Turkish border. For some time now, such reports have ceased to shock us, especially when they concern the Greek state, which has been accused dozens of times by civil society organisations of violating human rights and international law. The ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on illegal pushbacks at the border is also still recent.
The BBC report, in turn, confirms other reports and allegations that had already been made public and reveals scenes of brutality, with witnesses reporting that migrants were stripped naked, robbed, beaten and even sexually assaulted.
At the recent summit, when the prime minister was answering journalists’ questions, he was asked by the BBC about the investigation and replied that he ‘knows nothing’. Yet despite the major international attention the report has attracted, the government has still provided no convincing response.
We do not expect Mitsotakis to confirm what one of the most authoritative media outlets in the world is accusing him of. After all, recent statements by government officials have even sought to discredit the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. He has repeatedly shown that he is willing to discredit his associates, deny facts, evade the issue, and do much more when reality does not suit him.
As MeRA25 – United Left, we insist that anti-migrant practices, which go far beyond human rights violations, cannot be tolerated. We call on society, civil society organisations, and each and every one of us to stand up against the policies of Fortress Europe and the barbarity and obscurantism of Mitsotakis and Plevris.
No human being is illegal. Solidarity with the persecuted.
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